Wednesday, September 7, 2016

Changes

A recent visit with my neurologist and today with my family doctor confirmed the worst. I've been advised to not sew for any prolonged lengths of time for fear that further damage could be done to the discs in my lower spine and the nerves within. Just the mere words sent a chill down my spine because I could not live with that kind of pain again.As a result, this certainly puts a halt to my hopes of making the Broken Dishes quilt with you all, in addition to any other(s) quilts in the immediate future that require machine work. Handwork however, is not an issue, something that I'm so thankful for because you all know my passion for handwork.As a result, we'll be making some major changes to my sewing room. The down sizing has already begun...again. I've sold my Bernina 750QE which has gone to a good and 'local' home. I've also started purging my fabric stash and have either sold and/or given away a major portion. I've also found a buyer for all my books and patterns.As you can see, my sewing, quilting and designing career is certainly taking on a new direction. This by no means that I will give it all up. Heck, no. It's only another blip on the proverbial radar.Hopefully I'll have the desire to pick up my Brinton Hall quilt in the next little while, after the reality of my situation really has had a chance to sink in.If you've read this far, thank you. I have no intention to give up and you'll still see me here on a very regular basis sharing both the good and the not so good.You are all very special me...and those words come from the bottom of my heart.As always,

84 comments:

I'm so sorry to hear this. When you feel inspired to design, have someone else sew it for you from your stash.So glad you are able to continue hand stitching. Maybe that is where your designing will take you. Prayers.

Sorry to hear your news, that would be so hard to hear. I'm glad to hear you can still do your hand work, that should be comforting and relaxing. Maybe you can have someone else do the machine work if you design a new project. You have a plan to keep up with a needle and thread, enjoy as much stitching as you can!

It definitely sounds like you're making the best of the news you have been given. The suggestion of continuing to design and having someone else do the piecing sounds wonderful as does continuing with your handwork. You are so creative that I know whatever path you take that your creative drive will be in force!

Kaaren...I just discovered your blog today. As someone who has just recently had back surgery...4 lower vertebrae fused and a rod and screws placed above it to strengthen the weakness above those vertebrae.....I can say to you, very cautiously, take care of yourself. I am sorry you are going through this and my hope is for a healing. I really like your work, what I have seen so far. And, like you, I am so happy to have handwork. I have discovered ways to keep my stuff orderly and near me. Thanks for sharing your talent with all of us. I am grateful for all the new ideas I will get from you, even if they are previous posts.

So pleased for you that you can still hand stitch and design.:) Last year after slipping on a broad bean in a supermarket hurting my back I could not use my sewing machine. I`m thankful that I haven`t had to do as you have done. My prayers are with you for healing and no pain.

I must see this quilt made! I have just been buying fabric. Why not host the sew along anyway, even if you aren't sewing? I'm sure a lot of people will still want to join in. It's more about the community than the product anyway.

I get the sense that it's a bit of a relief to know that you won't be jeopardizing your back with the sewing machine any more. I can see the attraction of simplifying your projects. Best wishes!

Your news must have been devastating, but you have already come so far. You will always be creative, and will find any number of new ways to express that creativity. I look forward to seeing what you will accomplish!

The positive way in which you face these changes just inspires me (though I'm sure you must have times that it is difficult to swallow). This could happen to any of us. May we all have the grace to move forward in new directions that you have shown, when life throws us curve balls.You have been, and will continue to be, in my prayers.Such a good thing that you love handwork!

You are showing all of us a great and wise spirit in how you are dealing with the changes that are necessary for your good health. Not many could be so positive in the face of having to make changes. Thank you for being an encourager. I wish you many pain free years of enjoying your craft in a different way, God Bless you and Mr PQ. xx

Your positive attitude is an inspiration to many of us who will also be facing changes in the coming months and years. The blessing of quilting is that it can be accomplished in so many different ways, and your artistic sense is so very well suited to creating beautiful hand-crafted pieces. God Bless you.

I'm so sorry to hear that you are having to make such big changes. The quilt world is so diverse I know that with your positive attitude you'll find many opportunities to create and you will continue to inspire us all.

So much has already been said so I won't repeat it. Your mind and your hands won'the allow you to stop creating, it's like breathing. I am glad you are listening to your body and your doctor though so you can continue down a different but still creative path with less pain.

I am sending payers that all will work out soon. You are such an inspiration to all of us in Blogland and I look forward to hearing of your continued success in the health department! Sometimes just running your hands over the wool helps to heal us within!

I am sorry for this news but glad that you love handwork...being able to create is such a comfort to the soul...wishing you all the best...your health comes first and it's wonderful you're following the recommendations from the doctor...hugs

You have sure been through a journey the past few years and yet your attitude has remained positive and strong all along the way. It is a sweet thing that you can still enjoy handwork. Smart move to let go of what isn't going to be healthy for your back and embrace what you can enjoy. Prayers for continued healing, strength and comfort.

Bloom where you are planted. There are lots of us out here who love handwork and prefer it to machine stitching. It can be more relaxing than rushing to finish a project. I know that I want to hear about your hand-stitched projects. There may be some who make quilts completely by hand. (I am not one since I do a lot of piecing on the machine and attach bindings to the front of my quilts by machine. The final stitching is always done by hand.) Glad that you have a positive attitude about the future. Will keep you in my prayers.

Kaaren, my heart is heavy for you and I'm so sorry it has come to this. I've followed this journey through your blog and it has been very rocky and the bumps along the way have been unkind and life changing. You've always shown us the strength and determination that you possess and there is a lesson in this for us all. Knowing that you can still do handwork will mean that you can still express the creative side of yourself, what a relief that must be. Please know though this is a personal journey there are many who have been cheering you on from the sidelines, unknown faces and names but still there nonetheless. Prayers to you and your family.

This is definitely not good news, but perhaps it will lead you in another direction, one you never thought of before. Luckily, there is always handwork: knitting, cross stitching, and small hand sewn little quilts. I'm sure you will find something that peaks your creative interest. Back pain is certainly not something you want to experience again. Will be watching your blog to see what new things you come up with. Stay strong and continue to keep that positive attitude toward the future. A big hug from the West Coast, Judith

So sorry to hear this news...but we all need to be realistic...especially when it comes to our health. Consider crazy quilting and English paper piecing as options...both require a lot of hand work. Who knows...this could lead you to entirely new creative adventures!When one door closes...another opens!Hugs, Kathy

With you all the way Kaaren and sending you strength and encouragement. I know it must have been hard to accept not quilting but hand work is a wonderful hobby too...so that is still all good. I will look forward to seeing what next your stitching fingers will choose.

OMGosh! That is awful! I KNOW how much you love quilting!! But thank goodness your can still do handwork! You have got a great outlook and determination to make lemonade out of all this!! My thoughts are with you...and I look forward to seeing you wonderful hand projects! Big hug! Paulette

What amazing courage and spirit you have, Kaaren, you are an inspiration! I admire so much the way you have taken on board the new directions your sewing will take, and it is wonderful that you will still create beautiful things by hand..I look forward to seeing them. All the best, Meredith

Wish you the best of luck. I am waiting for wrist surgery, so I can sympathize. Mine is no match for what you are going through. It is tough when you have to give up some meshing that you love so much. At least you can still do hand work.

I'm so sorry for this to happen to you. It will be okay though. I love to hand piece and appliqué. I don't get those quilts done as fast but I do enjoy the journey. I look forward to seeing your new projects soon. You are in my prayers. Hugs,

Oh, Kaaren, how disappointing. I hope you are feeling well and that you continue to find ways to express your love of all things beautiful. Life is what you make of it, and I am amazed at how you just went head on into this transition... you go girl!

Oh my gosh! Such a change, please don't ever give up! Even if you just look at the fabrics it always makes me feel good to go in the sewing room and plan something new even if I never get to it. blessings my friend. I love this blog. Marymburnette912@bellsouth.net

Kaaren ~ I am so sorry about the outcome of your health issues, but please know, you are still an inspiration to me. You have brought the love of hand sewing back to me. It is my therapy on sleepless nites. I always look forward to see "The Painted Quilt" in my emails. Love to see what you got cookin' too. Prayers and hugs to you and Mr. Painted Quilt.

Sorry to hear your bad news Kaaren but thankfully you are a lady of many talents and always look for the positive. Your pain has been our pain on this journey. I've been reading your blog for quite some time and check in often to see what and how you are doing. I I love everything you do, your decorating, patterns, fabric, shopping....yes I'm a fan! Please keep designing, blogging and looking after yourself! And know all your blog friends love and adore you!

I am so sorry Kaaren - life just keeps happening for you. I feel your heart pains as we divest ourselves of our fabric. I recently sold over half of what I had.-I am just not sewing as much, but my guild ladies had a really good time buying it all.

Sending you armfuls of positive thoughts interlaced with hugh virtual hugs and a ton of prayers for a successful outcome to hopefully this temporary freckle in the constant balance of everyday life in which we seem to have very little control over. JudyC

That is indeed life-altering news. However, I'm glad to hear you'll still be stitching and sharing with us!!! I too love handwork so will be excited to see/hear what you're up to periodically! And thank you for it all!

I am so sorry to hear about your pain altered lifestyle. Curses! But you said you couldn't make a quilt that 'required' a machine. There is no such thing as requiring a machine!! Any quilt can be pieced by hand! It's much more relaxing and you'd be surprised at how nicely it relaxes you. Don't give up, just look for other ways. You are in my thoughts!

It's so wonderful that you enjoy hand sewing- you will be able to do more of it! Is it possible that the machines with " stop and go" buttons could help you? Not sure if it's the sitting or foot pedal that bothers your discs. Hmmmm, maybe you could design some more pretty fabric. Sorry for your pains, best wishes!

I am so thankful you can use your hands for quilting. We all have roadblocks in our lives and I believe God helps us to find a way, even if it a different direction. Cudos to you for selling and or giving away your collection of fabric and patterns. You noe can concentrate on your handwork.

So sorry about the news you have received. Along with all the other well wishes and suggestions I have one more to offer. Similar to folks who use computers in their daily lives and have spinal issues, perhaps making a standing sewing table would allow you to continue machine stitching for limited periods of time. I see that many table manufacturers are making tables that adjust to standing heights. God bless you and your recovery.

I ♥ my friends

About Me

I am an artist and have recently retired from actively designing, publishing and travel teaching in the decorative painting industry. In December of 2010, we moved from Eastern Ontario to the beautiful Annapolis Valley of Nova Scotia. Quilting, stitching, wool applique and rug hooking are just a few of my passions.
During the last 5 years I have released over 40 new and FREE designs here on my blog. Just scroll down and you'll find the links to all of my FREE patterns available in PDF format under the title First Friday Freebies and More First Friday Freebies. Click on them one at a time to download and print the photos, instructions and line drawings. Enjoy!